Trustees pass temporary data center moratorium until Dec. 9
Buena Vista Trustees have enacted a temporary moratorium on data center applications until December 9. This pause allows town staff to draft specific regulations for data centers, as the current unified development code lacks definitions and adequate provisions to address potential impacts like water, energy, and noise.
The Buena Vista Trustees swiftly approved a temporary moratorium on applications for data center uses in town during their June 9 meeting. This emergency ordinance, which passed in roughly 19 seconds, will remain in effect until December 9.
The moratorium was enacted to provide town staff with time to research impacts, gather community sentiment, and draft new regulations specifically for data centers. Planning Director Marika Kopp previously brought the issue before the Planning and Zoning Commission, noting that the town's current unified development code does not adequately define or regulate data centers. The existing provisions, designed for industrial or utility-related uses, fail to address concerns such as water consumption, energy demand, noise generation, visual impacts, and infrastructure needs. Trustee Chris Sturm moved to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Trustee Maggie Huyck, with Mayor Libby Fay calling for a unanimous voice vote in favor.